How to Get Prickly Pear Pine Cones to Root

Prickly pear cacti belong to the genus Opuntia, which is the second largest genus in the cactus family. Although Opuntia includes a large number of quite diverse plants, all members of the genus bear large, oval fruits. Before ripening, fruits roughly resemble the plant's pad-like segments: they are green, fleshy and possess spines. In many species, scaly protuberances cover the fruit, giving the appearance of an immature pine cone. Any part of an Opuntia that has areoles can root and give rise to a new plant. This includes fruit and flower segments.

Kitchen tongs
Cactus potting soil
Small pot

Instructions

- 1
  Grasp a green fruit with kitchen tongs and twist it at the joint where it attaches to the mother plant. The fruit should come off easily.
- 2
  Place the fruit indoors or in a shaded area not in contact with soil for about a week. This allows the raw portion of the fruit to callous over, preventing the likelihood of fungal infection when planted. Storing the cutting in direct sun or high heat causes excessive water loss and can slow rooting.
- 3
  Plant the cutting in a small pot using moist cactus potting soil. Do not bury more of the plant than needed to ensure stability; excess soil coverage promotes fungal infection. Keep the potted cutting in a bright location but out of direct sun.
- 4
  Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet until new growth appears, usually about two weeks after planting for most Opuntia species. Resume a regular watering schedule at this point.

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Growing Cactus